spring

to rise, leap, move or act suddenly or swiftly, or by elastic force; to move or proceed with a light bounding step; to come into being by growth, as from a seed or germ, bulb, root, etc.; to proceed or originate as from a source or cause; the season of the year following winter and characterized by the budding of trees, growth of plants, onset of warmer weather, etc. (Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary)

Whether it’s a verb, noun or season, ‘spring’ evokes an ageless liveliness. Spring provides a fresh canvas for life to burst, blossom and bubble forth. Its very nature fills us with enthusiasm and offers us the grace of new beginnings. So, how will you spring forward this season? In what ways will you blossom?

When you are golden you live each day as if it is a magical adventure. You share your radiance with everyone you meet and you do onto others as you would have them do unto you. When you’re golden you are rich in love and you know how to treasure each moment.

heart

the center of the total personality, especially with reference to intuition, feeling or emotion; the center of emotion, especially as contrasted to the head as the center of the intellect; feeling, affection, capacity for sympathy; spirit, courage or enthusiasm; a quality of mind or temperament that enables one to stand fast in the face of opposition, hardship or danger; the innermost or essential part of anything (Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary)

There are two sides to every heart…there is the solid and steadfast side that pumps and thumps. With each beat, our physical heart tirelessly gives and receives blood to keep us alive. Then there is the intangible side that makes us alive. It is nestled in our deepest core and is nourished by giving and receiving love. This is the ageless part of our heart, filling us with beauty, compassion and joy. No wonder the Tin Man felt hollow without it.

release

to free from confinement, bondage, obligation, pain, etc.; to relieve from constraint or restraint; to relinquish or surrender; to allow to be known, issued, done or exhibited; to discharge something such as moisture, vapor, or fumes (Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary)

When I reflect on the ageless quality of release, I can’t help but think of how aspen trees gracefully let go of their golden treasures each autumn. It may leave them bare, but they are open for the next unfolding. When we let go, detach, surrender, release…we free ourselves to receive a new lease on life.
What are you willing to release now?

rhythm

movement or procedure with uniformed or patterned recurrence of a beat, accent, or the like; measured movement, as in dancing; the recurrence of an action or function, as of the beat of the heart, the menstrual cycle, etc.; the regular rise and fall in intensity of sounds that is associated chiefly with poetry and music (Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary)

Blinking, breathing, beating…our bodies conduct rhythmic movements without us even thinking about it. Rhythm is ageless because it is continuous. It requires action and movement, and without these it will flat line into a silent pause—sometimes brief and other times long—only to begin again. When we connect with Life’s rhythm we feel its divine harmony and we know that all is well.

yes

used as a function word to express assent, agreement, understanding or acceptance; used to express affirmation or to mark the addition of something; used to express an emphatic contradiction of a previously negative statement; to give or express one’s consent or concurrence (Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary)

Saying, “YES!” means being open to all of Life’s possibilities. It confirms that you are willing to play, learn, love, give and grow with all of your heart. Yes is expansive and amplifies like a superlative, allowing you to be your highest, fullest, best. And, yes, it is ageless because it embodies a deep trust that all is well and all shall be well no matter what. “YES!”

grace

impressive beauty of form, appearance or behavior; a way of moving that is smooth and attractive and that is not stiff or awkward; a controlled, polite, and pleasant way of behaving; a virtue coming from God; a short prayer at a meal asking a blessing or giving thanks; the quality or state of being considerate, thoughtful, or kind (Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary)

Grace is a force like gravity and it is just as ageless. Grace pulls you inward to the center of your heart, where it blossoms into gratitude. From there it flows freely through you and allows you to compassionately connect with all things with a sense of wonder, reverence and ease. Get to know Grace and you too will be ageless.

There’s a French proverb that sums up the ageless quality of limber–“Better to bend than break.” Being limber allows you to move and bend without having to snap, crackle and pop. You gain a wider view over your shoulders and a bigger bounce in your steps. Even if you missed out on the “Gumby” gene, the good news is you’re never too old to become more limber. Better to start bending now.

ancestor

a person who was in someone’s family in past times; one of the people from whom a person is descended and usually more remote in the line of descent than a grandmother (Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary)

Think of your beloved ancestors who have gone before you. What qualities or traits do you admire about them? How do these attributes resonate with how you are living your life? How can you make them blossom into something even better to pass on to your loved ones when you’re gone? What qualities do you want to be remembered for? And, so the ageless cycle of ancestry evolves and expands.

bright

filled with light; luminous; shining; radiant or splendid; quick-witted or intelligent; characterized by happiness or gladness; making a fine display of usually showy color (Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary)

Think about the opposite of bright…dull, drab, dreary…this is also the antithesis of being ageless. When your outlook is bright, you live your life in color. You have no intention of fading away. Like a fresh new leaf unfolding with the breath of Spring, your brightness keeps you full of promise.

Ageless Word of the Week

zest

Ageless words inspire us to cultivate a vibrant and positive outlook on aging.

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About Annette

Annette Cain is an award-winning author, endurance athlete, and certified personal trainer. Known as the Longevity Lady,™ Annette helps baby boomers age stronger so their bodies can keep up with their lives. Her ageless lifestyle products and programs provide an easy, balanced approach to becoming lean & limber and living younger longer.

Annette is available for speaking engagements and personalized fitness & ageless lifestyle coaching.